Everyone wants to know how many points did Bronny James score, but the answer depends entirely on which "version" of Bronny you’re looking at. Are we talking about the kid who just finished a whirlwind summer league? The freshman at USC? Or the high school phenom at Sierra Canyon?
It’s complicated.
Being the son of LeBron James comes with a microscope that most NBA veterans couldn't handle. When he steps on the court, people aren't just looking for a bucket; they're looking for a legacy. But if we strip away the "Prince James" narrative and just look at the box score, the numbers tell a story of a young player still trying to find his offensive rhythm in the pros.
The NBA Start: Summer League and Preseason Realities
Honestly, the transition to the professional level has been a grind. During the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and Sacramento, the question of how many points did Bronny James score became a daily obsession for sports talk radio.
He didn't exactly set the nets on fire early on.
In his California Classic debut against the Sacramento Kings, Bronny finished with 4 points. He struggled from the floor, going 2-of-9. People panicked. The internet, being the internet, acted like the sky was falling. But then things shifted slightly. By the time he got to the Las Vegas portion of the schedule, we saw flashes of what the Lakers saw in him. He put up 12 points against the Atlanta Hawks and followed it up with a 13-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It wasn’t a scoring clinic. It was progress.
When you look at his preseason stats with the Lakers, the numbers hovered in a similar territory. He averaged roughly 4.2 points per game across his preseason appearances. The standout moment—at least for those looking for scoring—was the preseason finale against the Golden State Warriors. Bronny dropped 17 points. He looked comfortable. He was aggressive. He actually looked like he belonged on an NBA floor, even if the critics had already written him off.
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Breaking Down the USC Freshman Campaign
To understand his current trajectory, you have to look back at his year at the University of Southern California. This wasn't a typical college season. You can't talk about his scoring without mentioning the cardiac arrest he suffered in July 2023. That changed everything.
He missed the start of the season. He had to work his way back into game shape while his teammates were already in a rhythm.
At USC, Bronny played in 25 games. He averaged 4.8 points per game. If you're looking for a massive total, you won't find it here. He scored a total of 121 points across the entire season. His season-high was 15 points against Oregon State.
Why were the numbers so low?
- Minute Restrictions: For a long time, the coaching staff kept him on a tight leash to monitor his health.
- Role Player Mentality: Bronny has always been a "connector." He’s the guy who makes the extra pass, plays high-level defense, and stays within the flow. He’s not a volume shooter.
- Efficiency Woes: He shot 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from three. Those aren't the stats of a primary scoring option.
Some scouts, like those quoted in The Athletic during the pre-draft process, argued that Bronny’s low scoring at USC wasn’t reflective of his ceiling. They pointed to his defensive IQ. But for the casual fan asking how many points did Bronny James score, the USC tally felt underwhelming.
The High School Peak at Sierra Canyon
High school was a different animal. This is where the hype machine went into overdrive. At Sierra Canyon, playing alongside other high-profile recruits, Bronny was part of a legitimate powerhouse.
In his senior year, he averaged about 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
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He was named a McDonald's All-American. In that specific All-American game—one of the few times he was playing against purely elite, NBA-level prospects in his age group—he scored 15 points. He hit five three-pointers. That performance is what really solidified the idea that he could be a "3-and-D" prospect at the next level.
He wasn't the leading scorer on every team he played for, especially when playing with guys like Amari Bailey or Isaiah Elohim. He was often the third or fourth option. This is a crucial detail. Bronny has spent his entire life playing a "pro-style" role rather than being a high-school ball hog who averages 30 points per game against weak competition.
Context Matters: Is He a Scorer?
Here is the thing most people get wrong: Bronny James is not a "scorer" in the traditional sense. Not yet.
If you compare his numbers to his dad’s rookie year, or even to other top picks in the 2024 draft like Zaccharie Risacher or Reed Sheppard, Bronny trails behind. But the Lakers didn't draft him to be a 20-point-per-game threat. They drafted him for his defensive floor and his basketball IQ.
Rich Paul, his agent, has been very vocal about this. He’s noted that Bronny’s value isn't found in the points column but in his ability to disrupt passing lanes and stay in front of elite guards.
When we ask how many points did Bronny James score, we are using a metric that doesn't actually measure his impact on the game. It’s like judging a defensive end in football solely by how many touchdowns they score. It’s the wrong yardstick.
Realistic Expectations for the 2024-25 NBA Season
So, what should we expect moving forward?
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Bronny is likely going to spend a significant amount of time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. This is actually a good thing. In the G League, he’ll get the "green light" he never had at USC or in the Lakers' preseason.
In a G League environment, don't be surprised if he averages 12 to 15 points per game. He needs the reps. He needs to learn how to create his own shot when the shot clock is winding down—something he rarely did in college.
The "Lakers version" of Bronny, at least for this year, will probably have very low scoring totals. We’re talking 2 to 4 points in garbage time or short stints. The goal for him isn't to rack up points; it's to not look out of place when he’s on the floor with LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Key Scoring Milestones to Watch
- First Official NBA Points: This will be a historic moment, regardless of the score.
- G League Consistency: Can he put up double digits three games in a row?
- Three-Point Percentage: If he stays above 35%, his point total will naturally rise because defenses will have to close out on him.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans and Analysts
If you are tracking Bronny’s career, stop looking at the "Points" column as the sole indicator of his success. Instead, look at his Field Goal Attempts (FGA).
A higher FGA for Bronny usually indicates growing confidence. At USC, there were games where he only took 3 or 4 shots. For him to develop, he needs to be taking 8 to 10 shots per game, even if he misses. Scoring is a byproduct of volume and confidence, two things he is still building.
Keep an eye on the G League box scores. That is where the real developmental story of how many points did Bronny James score will actually be written over the next twelve months. The NBA points will come, but the foundation is being built in the shadows of the minor leagues.
Next Steps for Tracking Progress:
- Check the official NBA G League website for South Bay Lakers box scores to see his minutes-to-points ratio.
- Monitor his "Paint Touches" and "Defensive Deflections" via advanced NBA tracking data; these often precede an uptick in scoring efficiency.
- Ignore the "bust" or "GOAT" narratives on social media—look strictly at the shooting percentages over 10-game stretches to see if his jumper is actually stabilizing.